In this lesson we learned that God wants us to be good listeners. We examine several scriptures and discuss what we can do to be better at hearing others so we can communicate efficiently.

1. Learning to listen
by
Brian Birdow
Luke 6:27-36

2. Fact
The majority of people don’t listen well!
Most people are only concerned about
getting their point across.
Most would rather talk than listen!
People become very disinterested if they
don’t have the speaking stage!

3. Why do people not listen?
Because they have a short attention span
I’d rather talk- by talking people feel
important, useful, and attractive.
When I talk I am in control, I can steer the
conversation any direction I please.
Also when I talk I am the center of attention!
All eyes on me!

4. Why do people not listen?
1. Because they do not like the person
2. Envious of the person (Matt.28:18, Mk.15:10,
Acts.5:17)
3. The persons attitude
a. Arrogant
b. A know it all
c. Snobbish

5. Why do people not listen?
Because of Distractions!
Busy thinking
We talk at 200-250 words per minute but can listen
at 300-500 words per minute. Thus when the other
person is talking, we get side-tracked by our won
thoughts . When we come back into the room, we
find that we have lost track of the conversation.
Rather than lose face and become embarrassed by
this, we nod , smile and hope nobody will notice

6. Why do people not listen?
Because of Distractions!
 Busy waiting
 When we have decided that we want to
respond to the speaker, we then stop
listening for three reasons.
1. To avoid forgetting what we want to say
2. And to find better ways to state our case
3. Looking for an opportune time to interject

7. Why do people not listen?
IT’S NOT INTERESTING
 Speakers are responsible for their listeners
every bit as much as the listeners are
responsible for listening!
1. Monotone voice---------------
2. Boring and uninteresting language
3. No body language!
4. Talking for too long
5. Not giving the listener an opportunity to

8. Why do people not listen?
I’m busy talking
People who are talking usually have attention
on themselves and what they are saying. With
this self-focus, they do not notice that other
people are waiting to spak or want to comment
about what the speaker has said. Even if they
do notice, many people will continue to talk,
either to retain CONTROL or to fulfill their
need for completion.
EVEN IF NOBODY IS LISTENING!!!!

9. Wisdom Speaks!
James 1:19 Ye know this, my beloved
brethren. But let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 15:31 The ear that hearkeneth
to the reproof of life Shall abide among the
wise.

10. Words of JESUS
Mark 4:9 And he said, Who hath ears to
hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:23 If any man hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
First class conditional sentence - SINCE!

11. Words of JESUS
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed
what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it
shall be measured unto you; and more shall
be given unto you.
Pay attention to what you hear! (H.McCord)
What you hear will often times shape you
view and judgment!

12. Gossip!
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are
some which walk among you disorderly, working not
at all, but are busybodies.
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle,
wandering about from house to house; and not only
idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking
things which they ought not.
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a
busybody in other men's matters.

13. What do your children hear?
i. Hateful words about_________?
ii. Gossip T.V. and Radio (Xtra, TMZ, etc..)
iii. Mom and Dad fussing and fighting?
iv. Cursing and words of hate?
v. Word of encouragement or discouragement?

14. Remember…
Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of
life; But perverseness therein is a breaking
of the spirit.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away
wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up
anger.

15. Our children should constantly
Hear GOD
• Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy
God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy might.
• Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command
thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
• Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently
unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou
sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the
way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest
up.

16. Learn to actively LISTEN!
So if I understand you correctly. . . . .
Repeat what they said or summarize it so
you have clarity and know how to respond.
Explain yourself thoroughly. Direct
answers yes, no, there is a possibility..